MASON CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Summary of the Minutes of the

Board of Education Meeting

May 21, 2007

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Samuel Hunt at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the School Administration Building.  Present were Samuel Hunt, President; Michele Appelgate, Tim Becker, Gary Hoffman, Jim Spicer and Mark Young, Directors.  Director Janet Isaacson was absent.

 

A motion was made by Director Spicer and seconded by Director Appelgate to approve the agenda.   Ayes all.

 

Stephanie Wise, representing the Class of 2007, extended an invitation to board members and administrators to attend graduation ceremonies to be held on May 27, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at Mason City High School.

 

A motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Young to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Education held April 9, 2007, the Committee of the Whole Meeting and Special Session held April 30, 2007, and the Committee of the Whole Meeting held May 9, 2007.  Director Young noted a correction to the minutes of the regular meeting held April 9, 2007, indicating he had entered the meeting following Agenda Item 112, Update on Textbook Purchases.  A vote was taken resulting in ayes all to approve the corrected minutes.

 

Director Isaacson entered the meeting at this point.

 

A motion was made by Director Isaacson and seconded by Director Young to approve the payment of bills.  Ayes all.

 

Director of Finance Ramona Jeffrey reviewed the receipts, disbursements, and cash balance in each of the fund accounts for the month of April. 

 

Director of Personnel Martin Gordon reviewed the following personnel changes:  New Hires – Robert Kenny, Curtis Klaahsen, Jeffery Hines, and Meredith Hines; Resignations – Kelli Egan; and New Hires/Supplemental – Curtis Klaahsen.

 

A motion was made by Director Becker and seconded by Director Spicer to approve the personnel changes.  Ayes all.

 

Director of Instructional Programs Kathy Schladweiler introduced the following district staff: Christine Peterson, Mason City High School Talent Development Coordinator, and Ava Rezab, middle school math instructor. 

 

Ms. Peterson provided the Board a report on the Academic Decathlon Club at Mason City High School.  Academic Decathlon is a rigorous study of ten subjects around one theme and this year’s theme was “China and Its Influence on the World.” The 2007-2008 theme is “The Civil War” and it was reported that there is already a significant increase in the number of students who have committed to participating in the weekly club meetings for next year.  Letters for individual success and participation will be awarded starting with the 2007-2008 school year.

 

An update on the Advanced Placement Program and changes being made were reported on by Ms. Peterson.  Information regarding the course audit process, changes to course titles, class enrollment and exams were provided to the Board.  

 

Lastly, Ms. Peterson shared information regarding the individualized programs where she provides counseling to individual talent development students including coursework recommendations, outside coursework opportunities and development of educational plans.

 

Mrs. Rezab reported to the Board on the advanced 6th and 7th grade math classes introduced at both middle schools this year.  The current curriculum was used with enhanced/enriched challenges added.  Several criteria are used to determine placement in these advanced math classes and math instructors will be revisiting and updating the criteria requirements for this advanced program.

 

 

 The calendar dates were reviewed.  Superintendent Keith Sersland recommended the June 11 Committee of the Whole meeting location be changed to Mason City High School .  The Committee of the Whole Topic for this meeting is student achievement, but Superintendent Sersland recommended this topic become an agenda item for the June 18 regular meeting of the Board of Education and the June 11 Committee of the Whole meeting be used to provide the Board with an opportunity to tour Mason City High School prior to the District Facilities Committee ’s report at the July Board of Education meeting.  The Board directed Superintendent Sersland to make the necessary changes.

 

Board President Sam Hunt commented on the school board recognition reception, the May 1 district professional development day and the Mason City High School awards night he attended.

 

President Sam Hunt and Director Tim Becker reported on the National School Board Association’s annual conference they attended.  Both shared the keynote sessions and break-out sessions were excellent.

 

Director Jim Spicer provided a report from the Iowa Association of School Boards board meeting. 

 

The board recessed for dinner at 6:22 p.m. and convened at 7:00 p.m. with six board members present.  Director Janet Isaacson was absent.

 

A public hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. to allow district patrons the opportunity to express their opinions concerning having an innovative calendar for the 2007-2008 school year.  There was no one present requesting to be heard.

 

A motion was made by Director Becker and seconded by Director Hoffman to have the district apply for this waiver from the Department of Education.  Ayes all.

 

The following patron requested to speak to the Board through Open Forum regarding the district’s procedure regarding textbook checkout and usage at home and the hiring of substitute teachers:  Tony Shafer, 1906 340th St., Plymouth, Iowa.  Ms. Shafer was not present at this time.  Superintendent Keith Sersland recommended open forum being tabled until such time as Ms. Shafer arrived. 

 

Development Director Kelly Crane, Board President Gary LaFrenz, and board members Ellen Kay, Brian Randall and John Barron shared with the Board the plan, goals and timeline of the Education Foundation’s “Technology for Our Kids” campaign.

 

Director of Special Programs Gary Van Hemert reviewed a list of recent accomplishments by students and staff members. 

 

Ms. Shafer arrived at this time and spoke to the Board through Open Forum regarding the procedure on textbook checkout and usage at home and the hiring of substitute teachers.

 

Superintendent Sersland suggested the schedule of meetings for June, July, and August be revised as it was last year with the Board meeting at 5:30 p.m. and meeting in regular session through to adjournment with no dinner break.  The Board agreed to make the change for the months of June, July and August.

 

Superintendent Keith Sersland reported on the following:  (1) Board Tour of MCHS – June 11 and 18 Meetings and Agenda Topics – Per the Board discussion during the Dates for the Calendar agenda item, the board will Tour Mason City High School on June 11 and the student achievement report will be at the June 18 regular meeting of the Board of Education.  (2)  German Trip – Mr. Sersland shared details regarding the German trip Mason City High School students will be participating in this summer. (3) Other – Mr. Sersland shared an article, “Children Add Weight When School Is Out,” provided by Supervisor of Food Services Michael Carlson as a follow up to the food services report from May 14.  

 

A list of the members of the Class of 2007 was presented for approval for graduation.  A motion was made by Director Spicer and seconded by Director Becker to approve these students for graduation subject to their successful completion of the requirements of the State of Iowa, the Mason City Community School District and the requirements laid forth in Board Policy 505.7.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Becker and seconded by Director Hoffman to award the bid for providing dairy products during the 2007-2008 school year to Anderson Erickson in the amount of $58,097.45.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Spicer and seconded by Director Appelgate to award the bid for providing bakery products during the 2007-2008 school year to Sara Lee Bakery Group in the amount of $23,970.50.  Ayes all.

 

Director of Finance Ramona Jeffrey presented a proposal to increase breakfast and lunch prices.  The proposal includes a ten cent increase in daily student breakfast and lunch prices and a twenty-five cent increase in daily adult breakfast and lunch prices.  Food service meal prices have not been increased since the 2001-2002 school year.  A motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Becker to approve the proposed breakfast and lunch prices.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Young and seconded by Director Becker to approve the proposed Juvenile Court Services Liaison Program agreement for the 2007-2008 school year.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Spicer to approve a contract from Upper Iowa University for student teaching for the 2007-2008 school year.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Becker and seconded by Director Spicer to approve an application for renewal of cooperative sponsorship of an activity with Hampton-Dumont Community School District for boys’ swimming for the 2007-2008 school year.    Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Becker and seconded by Director Young to approve an open enrollment application for the 2006-2007 school year.  Ayes all.

 

It was moved by Director Young and seconded by Director Spicer that Darshini Jayawardena be appointed to fill the vacancy on the board created by the resignation of Janet Isaacson until the next regular school board election on September 11, 2007.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Young and seconded by Director Hoffman to hold a closed session as provided in Section 21.5(1)(i) of the Open Meetings Law to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose performance is being considered to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation, as that individual has requested a closed session.  A roll call vote was taken resulting in ayes all.  The Board went into closed session at 7:52 p.m.

 

At 8:55 p.m. a motion was made by Director Young and seconded by Director Becker to return to open session.  A roll call vote was taken resulting in ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Young and seconded by Director Becker to adjourn.  Ayes all.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

 

 

Susan A. Deike

Recording Secretary                                                      

 

 

Samuel R. Hunt

Board President